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French Connection

After dinner/digestif · Nightcap/sipping · Short and stirred

4.0 119 ratings

Ingredients

1 1/2 oz Cognac (brandy)
3/4 oz Amaretto liqueur

How to make

Serve in a old-fashioned glass

Prepare

  1. 1 Select and pre-chill an OLD-FASHIONED GLASS.
  2. 2 Prepare garnish of lemon zest twist.

Method

  1. 3 STIR all ingredients with ice.
  2. 4 STRAIN into ice-filled glass.

Garnish

  1. 5 EXPRESS lemon zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Flavour profile

28.4% alc./vol. · 1.4 standard drinks

History

The apricot and almond notes of amaretto blend perfectly with brandy.

The French Connection cocktail, named for the 1971 film of the same name, is closely related to the Godfather, which uses Scotch whisky. All three, including the vodka-based Godmother, are listed in Brian F. Rea's 1976 "Brian's Booze Guide." The recipe provided is: FRENCH CONNECTION – "voules vous . . . ?" Build in an old fashioned glass filled with ice cubes 1½ ounces Brandy or Cognac 3/4 ounce Amaretto These drinks also appear in "Jones' Complete Barguide" by Stanley M. Jones, published the following year, and in Mark Torre's 1987 book "The Bartenders Cherry." The recipe in Torre's book is: (The) FRENCH CONNECTION Old Fashioned Glass Build Fill with ice 1-1/2 oz Cognac or brandy 3/4 oz Amaretto While "Jones Complete Barguide" includes the "(The) Godmother" (vodka and amaretto), it does not list the Godchild (brandy and amaretto). The Godchild, however, seems to have largely superseded the French Connection in popularity over time. The "God" trilogy of cocktails has, like the films, proven more enduring than the French Connection. According to "The Bartenders Cherry," the distinction between a Godchild and a French Connection lies in the brandy used. A Godchild is made with brandy of unspecified origin, whereas a French Connection specifically calls for cognac brandy. Furthermore, the French Connection is served in a "Snifter Glass" (a brandy balloon) without ice, while the Godchild is served on the rocks in an old-fashioned glass. It was customary at the time to consume cognac in a snifter, warming it by cupping and swirling the glass in one's hand.